NOWADAYS, DOGS pushed around in strollers and wearing hats and shoes is not at all  a  strange sight. More often than not, pets wear luxurious clothing, eat specific types of premium food, and receive beautification treatments comparable to those of humans. This trend is the product of animal humanization. Many regard this pampering unnecessarily excessive and believe that there are dangers in treating animals as if they were humans. Yet, this trend presents great benefits to our society and personal well-being.

What is animal humanization?

   It is important to distinguish between equating animals with humans and humanizing animals. Humanization refers to the treatment of something that is not human as if it were a human; in this context, humanization of animals refers to humans approaching animals as equals or similar entities[1]. The humanization of animals can thus be thought of as a level of emotional connection that is one step further simply taking care of one’s pets by viewing them as worthy of treatment and care that a human child would receive. 

   The phenomenon of animal humanization is prevalent in our daily lives and shows itself in various ways. For instance, it is common for pet owners to share pictures and videos of special celebrations like birthday parties for their pets on social media. The pet clothing, food, and toy industries are also rapidly adjusting to this trend by exponentially expanding their selection of products. The way people refer to their pets, as “a part of the family,” is also an indication of the humanization of animals. A survey conducted by the KB Financial Group in 2018 found that 85.6% of Korean pet owners considered their pets family members[2]. 

Is “more human” better?

   There are clear benefits to the change in our perspective of pets as part of the family. The humanization of animals has propelled economic activity and stimulated the expansion of the pet industry as owners seek higher quality food, toys, and accessories for their pets. Citigroup Inc. food manufacturing analyst David Driscoll stated that “huge opportunities await the pet food category driven by the humanization of pets, which in turn is driving premiumization,” predicting that the growth in the pet food market is to last another decade[3]. Rising demand for premium pet food is also reflected in Coupang’s merchandise[4], where they offer pet food made from not only fresh and organic ingredients, but also specialized kibble that can help digestion, joint issues, fur growth, etc. Furthermore, the global pet daycare and lodging market is predicted to increase by $8.24 billion from 2020 to 2024[5]. This estimation, in addition to the abundance of services such as pet massage parlors and restaurants, serves as more evidence to suggest the great economic impact pet humanization has on our society.

   The humanization of pets also has a positive impact on pet owners’ mental health[3]. Actively engaging in consumerist activities for pets creates a profound understanding of an animal’s complex set of needs, such as a balanced diet, sufficient exercise, socializing opportunities, etc. This understanding helps form a close relationship between the pet and their owner. Studies indicate that intimate care of animals can significantly “promote emotional development[6].” Hence, humans are able to gain the same level of happiness they would feel from human companionship from their pets and even overcome feelings of loneliness, sadness, and anxiety[6].

   Those who draw a clear distinction between humans and animals argue that owner’s excessive desire to adore their animals[3] can make them oblivious to the biological needs of the animal, thereby disconnecting pets from their true instincts. Subsequently, the argument is that humanization could inflict more stress and harm upon pets and simultaneously result in people spending unnecessarily large sums of money. This is illustrated by how Americans spent an estimated half a billion dollars on costumes for their pets in 2019[7]. 

   It is important to note, however, that it is only in situations where we genuinely believe our pets to be humans that these consequences occur. Humanizing animals suggests that we are increasingly viewing animals as similar, sentient beings that can feel pain and happiness. As pets become more involved in our lives, it is only natural that our behavior towards them changes as well; treating our pets with more compassion while still differentiating animals from humans.

[1] Cambridge Dictionary 

[2] The Korea Herald

[3] The Financial Times

[4] Coupang: A Korean e-commerce company

[5] Global News Wire

[6] Business Wire

[7] CBS News